Quick verdict from our Bose Smart Soundbar review: the Bose Smart Soundbar is a great single-box upgrade for small and mid-size rooms. It decodes Dolby Atmos with two upward-firing drivers, its A.I. Dialogue Mode makes voices easy to follow, and it streams music over Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Chromecast, plus Alexa built in. It’s frequently on sale, and at full price larger rooms may be better served by a bar with a separate subwoofer.
How we put this review together: written by Md. Mehedi Hasan for TopSmartGear, using Bose’s official Smart Soundbar specs, independent expert reviews and verified owner feedback. This is a research-based review, not a hands-on test. Read how we review.
Bose Smart Soundbar at a glance
| Spec | Bose Smart Soundbar |
|---|---|
| Speakers | Five speakers plus a center tweeter, with upward-firing drivers for height |
| Formats | Dolby Atmos; Bose TrueSpace for non-Atmos content |
| Dialogue | A.I. Dialogue Mode |
| Connections | HDMI (cable included), optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Streaming | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Chromecast built-in |
| Voice | Alexa built in; works with Google Assistant through a Google speaker |
| Expandable | Bose bass modules and surround speakers; Personal Surround with compatible Bose earbuds |
| Price | Check current price |
| Size and weight | 27.34 in wide x 2.21 in high x 4.09 in deep; 6.91 lb |
Bose Smart Soundbar review: sound quality
For its size, the Smart Soundbar sounds wide and room-filling. Expert reviews say Dolby Atmos movies get a convincing sense of height from the upward-firing drivers, and Bose’s TrueSpace processing spreads ordinary TV shows and music out too. Bass is good for a compact bar, but if you want rumble for action movies, plan to add a Bose bass module later.
Clear dialogue
A.I. Dialogue Mode detects speech and adjusts the balance so voices stay clear without turning off the effects. It’s one of the most-praised features in owner reviews, especially for people who constantly reach for subtitles. You can switch it on or off in the Bose app.
Music and smart features
Unlike the cheaper Bose TV Speaker, the Smart Soundbar connects to Wi-Fi, so you can stream with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect or Chromecast, and control it with Alexa. Bluetooth is there for quick phone playback. Personal Surround lets one person use Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (sold separately) as rear speakers, which is clever if you don’t want extra boxes.
Pros and cons
- Good: Dolby Atmos in a compact bar, excellent dialogue, Wi-Fi streaming with every major standard, Alexa built in, expandable.
- Watch out: limited deep bass without a sub; pricey at full list; adding Bose bass and surround modules gets expensive; Personal Surround only works with Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and one listener.
Smart Soundbar vs Bose TV Speaker
The Bose TV Speaker costs much less and also makes dialogue clearer, but it has no Dolby Atmos, no Wi-Fi and no voice assistant. Get the TV Speaker if you only want clearer TV sound; get the Smart Soundbar if you want Atmos, streaming and Alexa.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Bose Smart Soundbar need a subwoofer?
No. It sounds full on its own in most rooms. Add a Bose bass module later if you want deeper bass.
Will it work with my TV remote?
Usually yes. Connected over HDMI, most TVs let their own remote control the soundbar volume.
Does the Bose Smart Soundbar support Chromecast and AirPlay?
Yes. Bose lists AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Spotify Connect, plus Bluetooth 5.0.
Does it work with Google Assistant?
Not built in. Alexa is built in, and Bose says it works with Google Assistant through a separate Google Home or Nest speaker.
Final verdict
The Bose Smart Soundbar is an easy recommendation on sale for anyone who wants Atmos, clearer dialogue and smart streaming in one compact bar. Check our deals page before Black Friday and see our best smart speakers for music.
